Sitz bath



May .15, 1962 H. C. GLOU SITZ BATH Filed Aug. 11, 1960 INV EN TOR. HARRY C. GLOU ATTORNEY rat Unite The present invention relates to a sitz bath, and more particularly to a portable sitz bath.

Following a hemorrhoid surgery the patient is usually required to take frequent sitz baths as a part of the postoperative treatment. Such treatment requires the immer-v sion of the anus in hot water for periods of 15 to 30 minutes. Sitz baths are also prescribed as treatment for other kinds of anal illnesses, such as boils, pimples, itching, etc., and for preor post-operative treatment in pelvic and perineal conditions.

-The common manner of taking a sitz bath is to sit in a bath tube filled with hot water. However, this manner of taking a sitz bath has a number of disadvantages. The patient must completely disrobe, and substantially the entire body of the patient is immersed in the hot Water. It is difiicult for post-operative patients and elderly patients to get into and out of a seated position in a bath tube since the tub is low to the ground. Also, the water in the tub cools off quickly so as to require constant emptying and refilling of the tub to maintain the water at the proper temperature for the treatment. In addition, in the bath tub manner of taking a sitz bath, the patient is seated directly on the bottom of the tub so that the portion of the patient requiring the treatment is not completely exposed to the water. Also, by being seated directly on the bottom of the bath tub, pressures may be applied to the surgical area which will cause pain or damage to the surgical area. Many conditions which require a sitz bath treatment give off a discharge or other infectious matter which contaminates the water in the bath tub, and which gets onto the body of the patient so that the patient must completely bathe after the sitz bath treatment. Furthermore, the soaking of the entire body of the patient in the hot water for the necessary period of time weakens the patient, which is undesirable especially after an operation.

Hospitals are particularly concerned with the problem of providing sitz bath treatments since a hospital usually has only a few bath tubs as compared to the'number of patients who either require or who could use such treatment. The lack of bath tubs in a hospital not only limits the number of patients who can take such treatment, but also the number of treatments each patient can take. Also, the patient often requires the help of a nurse or other attendant to take the treatment. Furthermore, afer each patient takes a treatment, the bath tub must be thoroughly cleaned and preferably sterilized before the next patient can take a treatment. I

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel sitz bath.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable sitz bath.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sitz bath which fits into a standard toilet bowl.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sitz bath which provides a constant flow of water for proper treatment of the affected area and to maintain the bath clean of any contaminates.

It is a still further object of the presentinvention to provide a sitz bath in which the temperature of the water is maintained constant.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sitz bath which can be used without completely disrobing.

It is still another object of the present invention to 3,634,137 Patented May 15, 1952 provide a sitz bath which comfortably supports the patient with the area to be treated being completely exposed to the water, and Without applying pressure to the affected area.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sitz bath which can be easily cleaned and sterilized.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the sitz bath of the present invention.

FIGURE '2 is a sectional view taken along 2-2 of FIGURE '1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 of a modification of the sitz bath of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIGURES 1 and 2, the sitz bath of the present invention is generally designated as 10.

Sitz bath 10 comprises a relatively thin, rectangular supporting plate 12 having a circular opening therethrough. A substantially hemispherical bowl 14 is mounted in the opening in the supporting plate 12 with the edge of the bowl 14 being secured to the edge of the opening in the supporting plate 12, and the bowl 14 dependent from the supporting plate. As shown, the bowl 14 is integral with the supporting plate 12. However, the bowl 14 and supporting plate 12 may be separate parts which are secured together. As shown in FIGURE 1, the bowl 14 is positioned intermediate the side edges of the supporting plate 12, but is closer to the back edge of the supporting plate than to the front edge thereof. Thus, the top surface area of the supporting plate 12 between the front edge thereof and the bowl is greater than the surface area between the back edge thereof and the bowl.

The bowl 14 has an opening 16 therethrough adjacent the edge of the bowl, and located at the rear of the bowl. The bowl '14 also has a pair of openings 18 therethrough adjacent the edge of the bowl and positioned at diametrically opposite sides of the bowl. The rear opening 16 is slightly lower than the side openings 18 for reasons which will be explained later. Although the openings 16 and 18 in the bowl 14 may be of any shape, the openings 16 and 18 are preferably long, narrow, rectangular openings with the long sides of the openings being substantially concentric with the edge of the bowl 14.

A water inlet ipe 20 extends across the top surface of the supporting plate 12 from the front edge of the plate 12 to the bowl 14. The pipe 20 has an outlet lip 22 which extends downwardly into the bowl 14. The pipe 20 is mounted on the supporting plate 12 intermediate the side edges of the plate 12 so that the outlet lip 22 of the pipe 20 is substantially diametrically opposite the opening 16 in the bowl 14. As shown, the pipe 20 is secured to the supporting plate 12 by a pair of straps 24 which extend across the pipe 20 and which are riveted or otherwise secured to the supporting plate 12. However, the pipe 20 may be secured to the supporting plate 12 in any other manner, such as by a suitable cement. Although it is preferred to have the water inlet pipe 29 extend across the top surface of the supporting plate 12 to permit the bowl 14 to' extend deeper into the toilet bowl in the manner to be described, the pipe 20 can also extend along the bottom surface of the plate 12 and through a hole in the bowl 14. A flexible hose 26 is secured to the inlet end of the pipe 20. The hose 26 is adapted to be connected-to a source of water, such as the faucet 28 of a sink or bath tub.

Referring to FIGURE 1, in the use of the sitz bath 10 of the present invention, the seat 30 and cover 32 of a tending into the toilet bowl.

conventional toilet bowl 34 are raised to their substantially vertical position to uncover the upper edge of the toilet bowl 34. The sitz bath 1%) is then placed on the toilet bowl 34 with the supporting plate 12 resting directly on the upper edge of the toilet'bowl 34-, a'ndthe bowl14 ex- The sitz bath is positioned so that theinlet pipe is at the front of the toilet bowl 34. The hose 26 isthen connected to the faucet 28 of the sink or bath tub, one of which is usually next to the toilet bowl in the average bath room. The

faucet 28 is turned on to provide a flow of water through the hose 26 and the inlet pipeZtl to the bowl 14 of the sitz bath 14' The faucet 28 is adjusted to provide a flow of water of the proper temperature for the treatment. The water from the inlet pipe 20 fills the bowl 14 until the 'level of the water reaches the opening 16 in the bowl 1.4.

Additional water flowing into the bowl 14causes the water in the bowl to overflow through the opening' 16 in the bowl. water from the inlet pipe 26 to the overflow opening 16 in the bowl 14. Since the outlet lip 22 of the inlet pipe 20 extends down into the bowl 14 and is diametrically opposite the overflow opening 16, the water from the inlet pipe 20 will flow in opposite directions from the outletlip 22 around the sides of the'bowl 14 to the'overflow opening 16 to provide a flow of the water across the entire area of the bowl. Since the bowl 14 is seated directly in 'the toilet bowl 34, the overflow of the water will flow directly into thetoilet bowl. Most toilets operate on the basis of the level of the water in the toilet bowl so that the overflow from the sitz bath 10 will be automatically drained from the toilet bowl 34.

When the bowl 14 of the sitz bath 10 of the present invention is filled with the water, and a continuous flow of the water of the proper temperature is achieved, the patient then sits down on the sitz bath 10. The bowl 14 of the sitz bath 10 is of a diametersubstantially equal to the width of the interior of the toilet bowl 34. Thus, when the patient is seated on the sitz bath 10, the patient is supported on the top surfaceof the supporting plate 12 adjacent the edge of the bowl 14 with the patients pospatients posterior becomes immersed in the water in the bowl 14, the water level in the bowl will rise slightly. The side openings 18 in the bowl 14, which are slightly higher than the overflow opening 16, are provided to assist 7 p Y on the sitz bath .10 of the present invention. Thus, there is provided a constant flow ofi the overflow opening 16 in carrying away theexcess water during the sudden rise in the water level so as to prevent V the water from flowing over the edge of the bowl 14 as the patient becomes seated on the sitz bath 10.

It has been found that the wide-flat top surface of the supporting plate 12 does not cause the patients buttocks to be' pressed together or pulled apart. Therefore, when the patients posterior is immersed in the water within the bowl 14, the patients anus is completely exposed to the water, Within the bowl. Thus, the portion of the patients body to be treated is completely exposed to a continuous flow of water of a uniform temperature to achieve the optimum treatment provided by the sitz bath.

lnaddition, the continuous flow of water will carry off any discharge or other infections matter to provide a continuously clean bath and to. prevent contamination of the important factor.

opening lfi -into the toilet how] 34. By permitting some fresh water to flow into the bowl 14, the bowl can be easily and quickly cleaned for use at a later time. The sitz bath 1%) of the present invention can then be removed from the toilet bowl 34 and stored so as not to interfere with the normal use of the toilet bowl. As previously stated, the wide, flat surface of the supporting plate 12 of the sitz bath 10 of the present invention serves to provide complete exposure of the area to be treated,and does not apply pressure to the treated area. In addition, the square, that supporting plate 12 provides for maximum support of the sitz bath 10 on theupper edge of the 'toilet bowl 34 no matter what size or shape the toilet bowl is. Also, the longer, squared front portionof the Supporting plate 12 extends under the thighs of the patient to comfortably support the patient while he is seated Since the normal time for taking a sitz bath is from 15 to 30 minutes, the comfort of the patient during this time is an By making the overflow opening16 long and narrow, the opening 16 can be placed close to the edge of the bowl 14 so that the Water level in the bowl 14 will be high enough to receive the patients posterior.

For the treatment of certain conditions, it is desirable to use a medicament in the water of the sitz bath. For this purpose a bottle-like container 36 of a porous material or a solid material having holes in the wall thereof is secured to the end of the lip 22 of the inlet pipe 20. The container 36 may be secured to the lip 22 by either a threaded connection, a bayonet type connection, or any other suitable releasable connection. The container 36 can be filled with the medicament in either tablet or powder form. Thus, as the water flows into the bowl 14 of the sitz bath 10 from the inlet pipe 20, the water passes through the container 36 to dissolve the medicament, and thereby provide a flow of medicated water through the bowl 14. When using the sitz bath 1% of the present invention for a plain water bath, the container 36 may be removed from the lip 22 of the inlet pipe 20.

In a hospital where more than one patient may use the same sitz bath 10, it is desirable to be able to sterilize the sitz bath 10, such as by means of an autoclave. Referring to FIGURE 3, a modification of the sitz bath of the present invention which can be sterilized in a hospital autoclave is generally designated as 40.

Sitz bath 40 comprises a thin, flat, rectangular support-- ing plate 42 of a rigid plastic material. The supporting plate 42 has a circular opening therethrough which is positioned intermediate the side edges of the supporting plate 42, but is closer to the backedge of the supporting plate than tothe'front edge thereof. A cylindrical flange 44 is integral with and extends downwardly from the edge of the opening in the supporting plate 42. The flange 44 has a radially inwardly extending lip 46 at its bottom edge. A hemispherical bowl 48 is mounted in the opening in the supporting plate 42. The bowl 48 has a lip 50 extending radially outwardly from its edge. The bowl 43 is mounted in the opening in the supporting plate 42 with the lip 50 of the bowl 48 seated on and supported by the lip 46 of the flange 44 of the supporting plate 42, and with the bowl 48 extending downwardly from the supporting plate 42. The bowl 48 has an overflow opening 52 through the rear thereof, and a pair of diametrically opposed side openings 54 therethrongh which are similar to the openings 16 and 18 in the bowl 14 of the sitz'bath 10. A water inlet pipe 56 extends across the top surface of the supporting plate 42 from the front edge thereof to the bowl 48. The pipe 56 has an outlet lip 58 at one end thereof which extends downwardly into the bowl 48. The other end of the pipe 56 is adapted to receive a flexible hose for connection to a suitable source of water. The pipe 56 is secured to the supporting plate 42 by a pair of spaced straps 6t) which extend over the pipe 56, and which are secured to the supporting plate 42 by. rivets or the like. The pipe 56 is rotatable about its own axis within the straps 60, and is slidable axially with respect to the straps 60.

The sitz bath 40 is used in the same manner as previ ously described with regard to the sitz bath 10. After a sitz bath treatment is completed, and the bowl '48 is emptied by tilting the supporting plate 42 to permit the water to flow from the bowl 48 through the overflow opening 52, the inlet pipe 56 is rotated 180 about its own axis and slid axially to the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3. The bowl 48 can then be removed from the supporting plate 42 to be placed in an autoclave for proper sterilization. The bowl 48 is preferably made of stainless steel so that it can be easily sterilized without becoming rusted. After the bowl 48 is sterilized, the bowl can then be placed back in the opening in the supporting plate 42, and the water inlet pipe 56 returned to its normal position for further use.

Thus, the present invention provides a portable sitz bath which can be used on any standard toilet bowl. With the sitz bath of the present invention it is not necessary for the patient to completely disrobe, but only the portion of the patient to be treated must be uncovered. Since the sitz bath of the present invention is supported above the floor, and the patient does not have to completely disrobe to use the sitz bath, a patient can easily use the sitz bath of the present invention without the need of help from a nurse or attendant. The sitz bath of the present invention provides a constant flow of a constant temperature water so that the bath is maintained clean and at the proper temperature for the treatment. In addition, the sitz bath of the present invention comfortably supports the patient with the portion of the body being treated completely exposed to the flow of water to obtain optimum treatment, and without applying pressure to the treated portion of the patient so as to prevent any pain or damage to a surgical wound. Furthermore, the sitz bath of the present invention is easy to clean and can be simply stored so as not to interfere with the normal use of the toilet bowl yet permit use of the sitz bath whenever necessary. Because of the ease in taking a bath treatment with the sitz bath of the present invention, a patient will take such treatments more frequently and thus expedite recovery because of the frequent and regular hydrotherapy action of the bath. Since the sitz bath of the present invention comfortably supports the patient during the long period of treatment, and the patient is not completely immersed in the heated water, the patient is not tired by the frequent treatments so as to further expedite the patients recovery.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claim, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

. I claim: I

A sitz bath comprising a rigid rectangular supporting plate having flat top and bottom surfaces, said supporting plate having an opening therethrough, a bowl mounted on said supporting plate with the edge of the bowl extending adjacent the edge of the opening in the supporting plate and the bowl extending beneath the supporting plate, said bowl having an overflow opening therethrough adjacent an edge thereof and adjacent the rear edge of said supporting plate, said overflow opening being of a length circumferentially around the bowl greater than its dimension along the depth of the bowl and being the sole opening through said bowl entirely at the exact level of said overflow opening, two additional openings through said bowl at opposite sides of the overflow opening, said additional openings being closer to the edge of the bowl than the distance between the overflow opening and the edge of the bowl, a water inlet pipe mounted on said supporting plate and extending from the front edge of the supporting plate to said bowl, an outlet lip on the end of the pipe extending downwardly into the bowl'to a level adjacent the level of said overflow opening, and means for connecting said pipe to a source of water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 154,702 Partain Aug. 2, 1949 150,510 Bancroft May 5, 1874 1,950,680 Johns Mar. 13, 1934 2,117,622 Morton et al. May 17, 1938 2,507,815 Rice May 16, 1950 2,564,779 Cline Aug. 21, 1951 2,947,994 Saulson et al. Aug. 9, 1960 2,947,995 Saulson Aug. 9, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 513,234 Italy Feb. 3, 1955 604,140 France Apr. 26, 1926 

